Africa – Strange Deliveries by DHL in 2013

An unusual cargo list has been released by DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa of their 2013 deliveries.

In Kenya live human eyes are transported frequently. Sumesh Rahavendra, head of marketing for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, said: “The corneas have an extremely short lifespan and are therefore highly perishable, which possess a significant challenge to us.

“What adds to the complexity is the fact that the recipient is booked and prepped for surgery while the cornea is in transit.

“The successes of these deliveries rely on prior customs releases, dedicated delivery vehicles and a passionate team of certified international specialists on the ground.

“When there is no margin for error and the result could affect another person’s opportunity for sight, every stop is pulled out from pickup to delivery.”

Rahavendra continued: “One unique shipment to mention is a 32kg consignment of Haggis which was moved from the UK to Tanzania for an event.

“The Scottish delicacy was swiftly transported through Customs and delivered in time for the prestigious event.”

For conservation, there was a transport of butterfly larvae in Kenya. Rahavendra said: “Any delay in the transport process would result in the premature hatching of the butterflies, from which they would not have survived. Following a similar operational process as the transport of the corneas previously mentioned, another successful, yet another unique delivery was completed.”

Another astonishing delivery was 1.7 tons of fresh flowers sent from Johannesburg to Douala in Cameroon for a wedding.

This personal request came from a customer whose two sons were getting married on the same day,” said Rahavendra.

“Fast forward a few short hours, and a splendor of colour was delivered to the event in time for the all-important nuptials.”

Other strange and prompt delivery requests included transporting nine gorillas across two continents, a specific heart internal defibrillator, the Rugby World Cup Webb Ellis trophy, and a customer’s laundry from the UK to South Africa for dry cleaning!